Blog posts
We like to write.
We write about our products, work, clients, business, news, tips and our journey.
We also like to collaborate with others and would love to share your story. If you think you have a great article for us to share, reach out to us.
Featured post
Why independent business is important to me
Why independent business is important to me. Written by Sean Sturgeon (Marketing) Growing up in Anfield all my life, I have seen so many independent places come and go - especially on Priory Road and Breck Road/Lower Breck Road. Once thriving social hubs for families...
Posts by category
Health and safety
Training
Food safety
Facilities
Client focus
Client Focus – Turncoat
7 min read
We sat with Terry, our client and owner of Turncoat Gin Distillery to talk about the new Turncoat Gin Bar opened this month at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool.
What does a fire warden do?
11 min read
Have you appointed fire wardens in your business but unsure what they should be doing, let’s take a look at some of the tasks they might undertake.
Jewson, Simon Sinek and Me – my story so far how it led to my ‘Why’
8 min read
In an article last week I wrote about the lessons I had learned as a Founder after one year, several people asked if I knew my ‘Why’, so here it is.
A day in the life of a Digital Marketing Apprentice
7 min read
Want to understand what the job of a Digital Marketing Apprentice entails? In this blog I breakdown what my day looks like.
Reducing the environmental impact of your restaurant fit-out
10 min read
Guest blog by Louise Kissack from Spaghetti Group. Fitting out your restaurant can be a costly project – but did you know that including a few practical, low-cost measures can reduce the running cost?
Why independent business is important to me
7 min read
Growing up in Anfield all my life, I have seen so many independent places come and go, here’s why they’re important to me.
The bread and butter collective Jan event
7 min read
This time we were speaking about sustainability, how and why you should think about it.
Is PAT testing a legal requirement?
7 min read
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 says that all electrical equipment with the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition. But does this include PAT testing?
Everyday heroes Maray tackle the fight against hunger
4 min read
In March, top chefs and food industry supporters across the country will take part in trekking through Jordan – Starting in the rift valley, finishing at one of the 7 wonders of the world – Petra!
Lessons learned as a Founder (so far)
8 min read
Starting a new business has been the biggest professional challenge of my life so far. I’ve learnt a lot along the way, here’s what I wish I would of known before I started.
How often should you run a fire evacuation drill?
4 min read
Fire drills are a legal requirement under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 but not only that, it makes perfect sense to practice your evacuations for a number of reasons.
Client Focus – LEAF Portland Street (Manchester)
Client focus - LEAF on Portland Street. We spoke to the general manager to find out more about this venue. LEAF began in 2007, as a small independent tea shop. Their goal was to bring quality loose-leaf tea to Liverpool. Their very first venue opened in Autumn 2010,...
Five steps for a food-safe festive period
12 min read
If you’re a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, hotel, or any other type of food and drink businesses, you’re about to enter one of your busiest times of the year. Unfortunately, that also means you’re about to enter one of your highest-risk periods as well.
How many first aiders do I need?
7 min read
This is one of the most common questions we’re asked, and with good reason – it’s an important one.
Client focus – One Fine Day
9 min read
Situated right in the centre of the Liverpool business district, One Fine Day offers a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
What to include in induction training
5 min read
Unfamiliarity increases health and safety risk. Broadly speaking there are two ways in which an employee can be unfamiliar. The first is an unfamiliarity with an environment or space, the second is an unfamiliarity with a role or task.
7 most common hazards in hospitality
9 min read
When assessing the hazards that exist in your workplace, you can give yourself a head start by understanding the most common ones that appear in your type of workplace.
Lion marked eggs recalled – Salmonella contamination
2 min read
Last week, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) was forced to recall batches of Lion Marked eggs.
Client focus – Maray
8 min read
Named after Le Marais, a vibrant neighbourhood located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, Maray brings a tasteful piece of Parisian culture to the people of Liverpool.
Major food allergens – what are they?
7 min read
There are 14 major allergens which need to be communicated to the customer, either on a label or through provided information such as menus.
New signing – Digital Marketing Apprentice
3 min read
Foursquare Group secures growth funding
4 min read
How often should passenger lifts be be inspected
6 min read
If your building has a lift then you need to understand LOLER Regulations and how often your lift should be managed. You as a business owner or employer have a legal responsibility to make sure that lifts being used on your premises are maintained and are kept in safe working order.
Fire alarm categories
7 minute read
As we learned in our blog post about The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment must be completed on all non-domestic properties. An important part of this assessment is to determine how a fire alarm should be used within the building.
Food standards agency allergen update
3 min read
If your business prepares foods on-site and packages them for sale as a ‘to-go’ item, you must now label all these foods with a full list of ingredients.
What are food hygiene ratings?
4 min read
The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is run by the Food Standards Agency in partnership with local authorities. it is used to assess the hygiene levels of businesses where food is supplied, sold or consumed with the purpose of improving overall food hygiene standards for consumers and providing enough information so that they can make an informed decision on where to eat and drink.
How will Brexit affect Health and Safety in the UK?
3 min read
What’s going to happen after Brexit? Which UK health and safety legislation will be affected and how?
Are chrome fire extinguishers legal?
4 min read
Despite their popularity and wide-spread use, there is still a lot of confusion surrounding chrome/stainless steel extinguishers and whether they conform to legislation and British standards.
How often do fire extinguishers need to be inspected and serviced?
4 min read
The below outlines the British Standards BS5306:3 2009 and are best practice for when and how to manage extinguishers, you should be organising a mixture of regular visual inspections and more thorough competent services.
Do I need employers liability insurance?
6 min read
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 employers are responsible for the health and safety of their employees while they are at work. This means you must put in place reasonable steps to prevent them getting injured or ill, but you must also put steps in place for them to to be protected if they do sustain an injury or illness – an injury or illness which is the liability of work they’ve undertaken for your business.
How to write a health and safety policy
5 min read
Policy writing doesn’t sound fun and sounds like a huge task when first considered by employers. But it’s absolutely critical to your business health and safety, it’s step 1 in your plan to improving health and safety.
Who needs health and safety training and when?
8 min read
Providing health and safety training in the workplace is one of the must-do actions placed on employers by health and safety law and it’s no wonder really, as correct training has been proven to have one of the biggest impacts on increasing health and safety performance in the workplace.
5 steps of a Risk Assessment
7 min read
A large part of managing the health and safety of your business is controlling the risks in your workplace. This is one the activities which is a must-do – health and safety law does require it and it does by way of a risk assessment.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
4 min read
9 things every business must do to be health and safety compliant
10 min read
For a small-medium sized business owner, who might be juggling a collection of plates and managing several departments, it can be quite a daunting and confusing task to understand what health and safety actions are required of them.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
5 minute read
E-learning vs Classroom learning
4 minute read
Classroom and e-learning are different tools for different applications. In most cases, when a beginner is learning any topic, classroom training should be preferred.
Government to add CPR and First Aid to the School Curriculum
5 min read
Last week on 3rd January 2019 The Education Secretary Damian Hinds highlighted the importance of every child having the chance to learn life-saving first aid skills.